Cats

Jump to section Do Cats Need Wet Food? Wet Cat Food vs. Dry Cat Food 5 Benefits of Wet Cat Food 5 Disadvantages of Wet Cat Food How Much Canned Food To Feed a Cat How Often Should I Feed My Cat Wet Food? How To Get a Cat To Eat Wet Food FAQs About Cats and Wet Food

First, feeding your cat a rotational diet makes it easier to change foods in the future. Cats who eat only one type of food are more likely to refuse trying another. If your cat ever needs a specialty food, develops a food allergy, or his usual food is discontinued, you will have to convince him to eat something new. Letting him go hungry until he gives up and eats the new diet is a dangerous proposition. It only takes cats a few days to develop hepatic lipidosis, also known as fatty liver, a potentially fatal condition that requires immediate treatment. Second, cats who eat a rotational diet also are less likely to experience digestive upset when introduced to a new food. If your cat’s digestive system is accustomed to only one type of food, there’s more of a chance that he will suffer from vomiting or diarrhea if you run out of his favorite food and must buy something else in a pinch.,Jump to section Why Feed Your Cat a Rotational Diet? How To Start a Cat Rotational Diet When To Start a Cat Rotational Diet

Catnip Highs vs. Human Drug Highs While our ability to understand the subjective experience of cats is limited, we do have some sense of how the plant affects people. There was a brief period in the 1960s when the cheaper and more readily available catnip was mixed with tobacco or marijuana and smoked. After smoking catnip, people reported having visual and auditory hallucinations and feeling “happy, contented, and intoxicated,” similar to feelings induced by marijuana. Of course, cats are not small people. We cannot assume that what’s true for us holds true for cats. Drugs that work in humans are often unsafe or ineffective in pets. For example, over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen are relatively safe in people but can be lethal for cats. And with some exceptions, antihistamines are often ineffective in controlling allergies for pets.,What’s the Strongest Type of Catnip? Various forms of catnip exist, including sprays, dried leaves, and the entire plant. Although each varies in its concentration of nepetalactone, there is minimal difference in how profoundly these different forms affect cats. Since catnip is not a drug, its effects don’t depend on the amount given or the concentration. There only needs to be enough nepetalactone to trigger the endorphin response. This causes a cat’s body to release those endorphins at a strictly regulated level that is not proportionate to the amount of nepetalactone inhaled. This is why cats cannot fatally overdose on catnip. Featured Image: iStock.com/Okssi68,You may have given catnip to your cat at some point and wondered whether cats can actually get “high” from it. The effects are obvious (and entertaining): after smelling the catnip, most cats will rub their faces in it, roll on their backs, and vocalize (make loud noises). Although some cats will exhibit more subdued behaviors—a “sphinx-like posture” is reported in one study— the vast majority of cats become excited and hyperactive, leading to the perception that catnip makes cats high. Do Cats Get High on Catnip? With respect to catnip, there is reason to believe that cats may experience something like the highs achieved by pioneering marijuana users 60 years ago. According to a recent paper, catnip works through the body’s internal opioid system. W hen a cat smells catnip, a substance called nepetalactone interacts with certain cells in their upper airway. Once the interaction occurs, the cat’s body releases endorphins—natural opioids. This theory is supported by the fact that cats who receive the opioid “antidote” naloxone are not affected by catnip. Ingestion alone seems to have little effect on cats, although some may chew on the herb, perhaps to release the nepetalactone, especially from drier leaves. Although reports that the herb induces LSD-like hallucinations are probably overblown (and difficult to prove), catnip is nonetheless a safe, cheap, and effective way to give your cat some short-lived enjoyment.

Because this is your first cat, I highly recommend that you find a cat organization or individual who can support and mentor you about all things cat. A local humane society or a rescue group can help you understand how to care for your new cat and teach you to recognize, interpret and respond correctly to her body language. Many humane societies have free behavior helplines that you can call. Excellent books are available perfect for first time cat people. Two I highly recommend are Think Like a Cat by Pam Johnson-Bennett and Complete Kitten Care by Amy Shojai. The first step in earning your cat’s trust back is to not corner her or insist she interact with you. Encourage your cat to come to you by using the method of formally greeting cats while you are sitting or crouching a few feet or across the room from her. Extend one finger towards her at cat-nose level. If she wants to say hello, she will come to you, touch your finger with her nose, then will turn her head until your finger is on her cheek. At that point, gently pet her cheek, her head and the back of her neck. Healthy cat treats that she adores will also help her trust you. If she’s not feeling secure enough to fraternize with you, leave her alone and try again later. Always bring cat treats with you that you can toss near her. Although most cats love to play, never play rough and don’t use your hands when playing with your cat. Instead, play with her using fishing-pole type cat toys. Pull the toy away from her so that she can chase and catch it (fishing-pole-type toys should be out of reach of cats when no one is around to supervise). Most likely she will also enjoy chasing toys that you throw for her. Don’t force her to participate in the games. When she loses interest, stop and have a play session later on when she’s more in the mood to play. Be gentle with your new cat and learn everything you can about her and how to care for her. If you create a safe environment for her and treat her gently and with care she will eventually feel secure and not run from you.,Q.

Look, cats are easily misunderstood. And if you’re a not self-proclaimed cat person, you might (rightfully) question whether your cat loves you. Heck, even longtime feline fans probably wonder if the looks their cats give them are signs of true kitty love. We get it. It’s why we did the hard work for you to help you answer the all-too-common question among cat parents: “Does my cat love me?” Here’s what to look out for.

Healthy cat gums should be pink, just like human gums. The exact shade of pink may vary depending on your cat’s pigmentation. The pink color indicates good blood circulation and oxygenation. Cat gums should also be moist and smooth, which signifies good overall gum health. Pale gums in cats is abnormal and always a cause for concern.,Jump to section What Do Pale Gums in Cats Mean? What Causes Pale Gums in Cats? Signs and Symptoms: How Do I Know If My Cat Has Pale Gums? What Do Different Cat Gum Colors Mean? How Can I Treat My Cat’s Pale Gums? How Can I Prevent My Cat from Getting Pale Gums?

Irritants can cause inflammation in the nose, which can cause sneezing in cats. This can be caused by things like: Dust Pollen Perfumes Cleaning products Cigarette smoke These irritants can cause inflammation in the nasal passages, leading to a sneezing cat. In many cases, this type of sneezing is harmless, and occasional sneezing is not a cause for concern. However, continued exposure to irritants can lead to a condition called rhinitis, which causes more sneezing and other respiratory symptoms and may require a visit to your vet. Other Warning Signs Watery eyes Nasal discharge Coughing A picky appetite/eating less than usual Is My Cat at Risk? All cats who are exposed to irritants can experience inflammation and, with continued exposure, rhinitis. How to Help Try to keep your home clean and free of irritants that can trigger sneezing. Avoid smoking in the house and using harsh cleaning products. Do not use essential oils or scented candles if you have cats (or birds, who are also sensitive to irritants) in your home. Consider using a humidifier to moisten the air, which can help reduce irritation in the nasal passages.,Let’s start with the good news first: Sneezing in cats and kittens is relatively normal and can be caused by a variety of factors, which are oftentimes mild and even harmless. The occasional sneeze is a normal reflex and usually nothing to worry about. (Plus, it can also be super cute!) But if your cat’s or kitten’s sneezing becomes frequent or is accompanied by other symptoms, it may indicate an underlying health issue. So, how do you know what’s causing your cat’s sneezing, and when to call your vet? We’re breaking down several common causes of sneezing in kittens and cats, the warning signs, and what pet parents can do to help their furry friends.

Known for their gentle nature, leopard geckos are great pets for beginners and longtime reptile lovers. These tiny creatures don’t get much bigger than 9 inches long but are easy-to-handle and sociable reptiles.  Once you learn when they tend to be the most active and how to handle your pet with safety and care, you’re well on your way to becoming a great leopard gecko owner. 

In This Article How To Socialize a Kitten View 5 More +

See how you can keep your Persian cat’s fur from getting “tear stains” and what the perfect Persian cat face looks like to cat show judges.